Pour spout for a liquid container

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to an opening on a container to dispense liquids. The opening may unfold, in one embodiment, to an angle of, e.g., 90° which when the container is tilted extends past the edge of the container. The opening creates a spout when unfolded or opened. In embodiments, underneath the opening is a door that can control the flow of liquid from the container to the outside. The door may, for example, move up and down to control the flow of liquid. The spout/opening and/or container may include channels that can direct the flow of liquid. Optionally, the spout may be in the container and usable when the lid is removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Invention

The present disclosure is generally directed to containers comprising pour spouts and partitions to regulate flow of a liquid.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, most liquid containing containers (including coatings containers) include a lid that is removed for the contents to be poured out onto, for example, a tray or some other container. This process results in many spills, drips down the side of the container, and the collection of coating in regions that can affect the seal of the lid.

This also results in unnecessary environmental contamination with the unintended release of liquid or spills of liquid into the environment. Conventional spouts limit the ability to stack containers by not being collapsible. Conventional spouts also do not have the ability to control liquid flow. Accordingly, containers, particularly containers that contain coatings, with improved pour spouts are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to an opening or spout on a container to dispense liquids. The spout may unfold, in one embodiment, to an angle, which when the container is tilted may extend past the edge of the container. The opening creates a spout when unfolded or opened. In embodiments, underneath the opening is an optional flow control partition that can control the flow of liquid from the container to the outside. The flow control partition may, for example, be a door that moves up and down to control the flow of liquid. The spout/opening and/or container may include channels that can direct the flow of liquid. Optionally, the spout may be in the container and usable when the lid is removed.

Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a top view of a container including a spout of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a container including a flow control partition of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a flow control partition of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A shows a top view of an embodiment of a container with channels and a spout of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B shows another top view of an embodiment of a container with channels and a spout of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a spout of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of another embodiment of a spout of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A shows a side view of another embodiment of a spout of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B shows another top view of a spout of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7C shows another side view of a spout of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, products, and/or systems, described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, products, and/or systems described herein will be apparent to an ordinary skilled artisan.

The present disclosure is directed to an opening on a container to dispense liquids. The opening may unfold, in one embodiment, to an angle which when the container is tilted extends past the edge of the container. The opening creates a spout when unfolded or opened.

In embodiments, underneath the opening may be a flow control partition that can control the flow of liquid from the container to the outside. The flow control partition may, for example, move up and down to control the flow of liquid. The spout/opening and/or container may include channels that can direct the flow of liquid. The opening can be opened and closed as needed. Optionally, the spout may be in the container and usable when the lid is removed.

The spouts of the disclosure solve the problem of dripping down the side of the container. Dripping down the side of the container can dangerously cover warnings contained on the container. Dripping also creates contamination of the surrounding environment. The spout of the disclosure also eliminates liquid collecting in the ridges and regions that allow the lid to seal. Accordingly, wasted liquid is prevented. The disclosed spout prevents spills and unintended releases of liquid which are detrimental to environmental quality.

In another embodiment, a latching folding door may allow access to coating inside. This would permit, for example, color additives to be added without the need to remove the lid. In one embodiment, a door could operate, for example, from right to left or vice versa.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a top view of a spout of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 shows spout 1 in a closed position with two finger releases 2. FIG. 1 further shows release button 3 and flow control lever 4. In one embodiment, a user would push release button 3 to release finger releases 2. In one example, while simultaneously pressing release button 3 a user could squeeze inward on finger releases 2 and pull down. In embodiments, the finger releases may be finger hook releases.

In other embodiments, for example, a ring could be used for the release button or a knob or tab or other device could be turned, for example, counterclockwise, to release the finger releases.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows spout 1 in an open configuration and flow control partition 5 in a closed position. Flow control partition 5 also includes hole 6. In embodiments, the flow control partition 5 may be moved up and down to control the flow of liquid.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 3, tracks 7 for flow control partition 5 are shown. Flow control partition 5 may slide up and down in embodiments and regulate the flow of liquid. In one specific embodiment, the angle may be a 90° angle. Flow control partition 5 may also act as a shut off valve. Flow control partition 5 may also be angled from the bottom of the spout (not shown) to provide flow into hole 6 and back into a container when flow control partition 5 is closed. For example, flow control partition 5 may be slightly curved.

FIG. 4A shows another embodiment of a top view of a spout of the present disclosure. In FIG. 4A, channels 8 are shown inside a container with a spout 1 that folds out.

FIG. 4B shows a top view of a spout 1 for a container with the spout 1 in an unfolded position.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a spout of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 shows a top view with spout 1 closed. FIG. 5 thus shows top for container 9 with spout 1 and release button 3.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of another embodiment of a spout of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 shows container 10 with spout 1, flow control partition 5, and hole 6.

FIG. 7A shows a side view of another embodiment of a spout of the present disclosure. In FIG. 7A container 10 has spout 1.

FIG. 7B shows another top view of a spout of the present disclosure. FIG. 7B shows top for container 9 with spout 1, flow control partition 5, hole 6, and release button 3.

FIG. 7C shows another side view of a spout of the present disclosure. FIG. 7C shows container 10, and top for container 9 with spout 1.

While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application has been attained that various changes in form and details may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container for coatings comprising: a foldable spout configured to be opened and that when fully opened extends beyond the edge of the container; and a flow control partition disposed adjacent to the spout; wherein the flow control partition is configured to regulate liquid flow from the container.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the spout extends to approximately a 90° angle with respect to a wall of the container.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the flow control partition moves up and down to regulate flow of the liquid.
 4. The container of claim 1, wherein the spout comprises a V-shape.
 5. The container of claim 1, further comprising channels inside the container to control liquid flow.
 6. The container of claim 1, further comprising one or more finger releases for opening the spout.
 7. The container of claim 6, further comprising a release device for releasing the finger releases.
 8. The container of claim 1, further comprising a flow control lever for opening and closing the flow control partition.
 9. The container of claim 7, wherein a hook release device turns counter-clockwise to release the finger releases.
 10. The container of claim 1, wherein the flow control partition comprises a hole for allowing liquid back into the container.
 11. The container of claim 1, further comprising tracks for the flow control partition.
 12. The container of claim 1, wherein the spout comprises channels.
 13. The container of claim 1, wherein the coating is paint. 